Abdominal Muscle Sculpting and Exercise Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides, in at least one embodiment, an exercise device to satisfy the desire people have to achieve lean, sculpted abdominal muscles (“abs”). The device comprises a frame 110, a removable pneumatic exercise ball, and a plurality of exercise straps that allow for a series of specific limited and controlled bilateral movements. The user may position their body on the ball by sitting, leaning or laying on the ball (either on their back, stomach, or side) to perform a variety of exercises.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/298,827, filed Jan. 27, 2010, and entitled “ABDOMINAL MUSCLE SCULPTING AND EXERCISE DEVICE,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and more particularly, to a device designed to demand a greater recruitment of abdominal muscles by creating a series of specific multilateral movements.

2. Description of Related Art

Abdominal muscles, or abs, are muscles running vertically on each side of the anterior wall of the human abdomen. Abs are important for posture, flexing the lumbar spine (i.e., doing a “crunch”), breathing, respiration, and provide stability to surrounding muscles.

An exercise ball is one tool for exercising and strengthening the abs. It is most often used in physical therapy, athletic training, exercise, and weight training The exercise ball may be known by many names, such as a Swiss ball, balance ball, birth ball, body ball, fitness ball, gym ball, gymnastic ball, physioball, pilates ball, pezzi ball, sports ball, stability ball, Swedish ball, therapy ball, or yoga ball. Exercise balls, are typically constructed of elastic soft PVC with a diameter of approximately 1-3 feet and filled with air, and is larger and much lighter than a medicine ball. A primary benefit of exercising with an exercise ball, as opposed to exercising directly on a hard flat surface, is that the body responds to the instability of the ball to remain balanced, engaging many more muscles. Those muscles become stronger over time to keep balance. Most frequently, the core body muscles (i.e., the abdominal muscles and back muscles) are the focus of exercise ball fitness programs.

Some people recommend sitting on an exercise ball instead of a chair (for example, an office chair). This is based on the theory that the abdominal and back muscles are constantly engaged and active in order to maintain proper posture and balance on the ball. Others warn against using a Swiss ball as a chair due to ergonomic considerations.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,517 describes an adaptation of the exercise ball or Swiss ball. The exercise apparatus includes a large, spherically-shaped, resilient ball, a frame and a pair of connectors, the connectors rotatably connecting the ball to the frame. Various attachments may be placed on the frame to allow the user to grasp the apparatus or lock their feet to prevent unwanted motion. A mechanism can also be included in the connectors allowing the user to selectively adjust the rotation to a desired degree of resistance.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,700 describes an exercise apparatus including a resilient ball, a flexible strap assembly, and a resistance member coupled to the resilient ball via the flexible strap assembly. The resilient ball is configured such that a user rests a portion of his or her body on the resilient ball while pulling the resistance member in an elongation direction. The strap assembly includes first and second straps adapted to surround and couple to the resilient ball. A loop formed from one of the straps receives the resistance member.

However, conventional devices lack the stability provided by a frame that allows for a series of specific limited and controlled bilateral movements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an exercise device to satisfy the desire people have to achieve lean, sculpted abs. The device comprises a frame 110, a removable pneumatic exercise ball, and a plurality of exercise straps that allow for a series of specific limited and controlled bilateral movements. The user may position their body on the ball by sitting, leaning or laying on the ball (either on their back, stomach, or side) to perform a variety of exercises.

In an embodiment of the invention, an abdominal sculpting and exercise device comprises: a frame, the frame including a base section and an upper section, wherein the base section comprises two rotational rails; an exercise ball sitting on the two rotational rails; and a plurality of exercise straps. The exercise ball may be tethered to the base section. Two of the plurality of exercise straps may be detachably coupled to the base section or the upper section. The device may further comprise a telescoping riser disposed between the base section and the upper section. The device may further comprise a headrest attached to the upper section and attachment rings connecting the frame to at least one of the plurality of exercise straps. The device may further comprise elastomeric tethers connecting the exercise ball to at least one of the plurality of exercise straps.

In another embodiment of the invention, a device comprises: a frame; an exercise ball attached to the frame, the frame partially limiting the movement of the ball; and a plurality of exercise straps attached to the exercise ball. The exercise ball may be tethered to the base section. Two of the plurality of exercise straps may be detachably coupled to a base section or an upper section. The device may further comprise a telescoping riser disposed between the base section and the upper section. The device may further comprise a headrest attached to the upper section and attachment rings connecting the frame to at least one of the plurality of exercise straps. The device may further comprise elastomeric tethers connecting the exercise ball to at least one of the plurality of exercise straps.

An advantage of the present invention is that it creates a series of specific multilateral movements in order to provide four times the results in one-fourth the time.

The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows:

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an abdominal muscles (“abs”) sculpting and exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying FIGS. 1-3, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. Although the invention is described in the context of an exercise ball on a frame with two rotational rails, the exercise device can be implemented in any type of frame that recruits of abdominal muscles through a series of specific multilateral movements.

The present invention provides an exercise device to satisfy the desire people have to achieve lean, sculpted abdominal muscles (“abs”). The device comprises a frame 110, a removable pneumatic exercise ball, and a plurality of exercise straps that allow for a series of specific limited and controlled bilateral movements. The user may position their body on the ball by sitting, leaning or laying on the ball (either on their back, stomach, or side) to perform a variety of exercises.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an abdominal muscles (“abs”) sculpting and exercise device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The device 100 comprises a frame 110, a removable pneumatic exercise ball 120, and a plurality of exercise bands 130 (e.g., exercise straps). The frame 110 is preferably constructed from metal such as stainless steel. The frame 110 includes a base section 112, a telescoping riser 114, and an upper section 116, which includes a headrest 118. The base section 112 is connected to the upper section 116 via the telescoping riser 114. The telescoping riser 114 is adjustable in length in order to raise and lower the height of the headrest 118.

The exercise ball 120 sits on two rotational rails 111 at the base section 112 of the frame 110, allowing for its bilateral movements. The ball 120 is tethered to the frame with elastomeric tethers 113 on either side to limit and control such movement.

The upper section 116 of the frame 110 also contains exercise bars 117, which are connected to a telescoping riser 114. These exercise bars 117 may pivot for adjustable functionality. The riser 114 may lock into position by way of screw, pin, or some other sufficient securing methodology. At the top of the riser 114 is the padded headrest 118. The telescoping riser 114 may also pivot, for adjustable functionality.

Exercise band attachment rings 119 are mounted at various points on the frame 110. The user may attach the elastomeric exercise bands 130 at these points for adjustability while performing a variety of multi-angle exercises. These bands 130 provide resistance during the exercises.

The exercise bands 130 may also be attached to the exercise ball 120 at the points where the elastomeric tethers 113 attach to the ball 120, providing yet another attachment point. The elastomeric tethers 113 and exercise bands 130 may be attach by a clip or some other securing methodology. The movement of the ball 120 along the rails 111 creates instability, but as it is tethered to the frame, it is “controlled instability.” This controlled instability causes the recruitment of numerous core muscles, as well as additional muscles throughout the body, while performing a variety of exercises in a plurality of positions.

The user may position their body on the ball 120 by sitting, leaning, or laying on the ball 120 (either on their back, stomach, or side). When lying down on the ball 120, the user may place their head upon the padded headrest 118. For example, while lying on their back, with exercise bands 130 attached to the rings 119 at the base section 112 of the frame 110, the user may raise their arms above their head to exercise the upper chest, arms, and shoulders.

In an embodiment of the invention, the ball 120 includes a manual or automatic integrated inflating and deflating mechanism (not shown), the identification and implementation of which are apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The inflating/deflating mechanism makes it possible that the entire unit 100 can be folded and stored.

In another embodiment of the invention, the telescoping riser 114 is omitted, hence simplifying the device 100. In such a configuration, the device 100 may be used as a desk chair.

It is to be recognized that depending on the embodiment, certain acts or events of any of the methods described herein can be performed in a different sequence, may be added, merged, or left out altogether (for example, not all described acts or events are necessary for the practice of the method). Moreover, in certain embodiments, acts or events may be performed concurrently, rather than sequentially.

The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims. 

1. An abdominal sculpting and exercise device comprising: a frame, the frame including a base section and an upper section, wherein the base section comprises two rotational rails; an exercise ball sitting on the two rotational rails; and a plurality of exercise straps.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the exercise ball is tethered to the base section.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein two of the plurality of exercise straps are detachably coupled to the base section or the upper section.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a telescoping riser disposed between the base section and the upper section.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a headrest attached to the upper section.
 6. The device of claim 1, further comprising attachment rings connecting the frame to at least one of the plurality of exercise straps.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising elastomeric tethers connecting the exercise ball to at least one of the plurality of exercise straps.
 8. A device comprising: a frame; an exercise ball attached to the frame, the frame partially limiting the movement of the ball; and a plurality of exercise straps attached to the exercise ball.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the exercise ball is tethered to the base section.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein two of the plurality of exercise straps are detachably coupled to a base section or an upper section.
 11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a telescoping riser disposed between the base section and the upper section.
 12. The device of claim 8, further comprising a headrest attached to the upper section.
 13. The device of claim 8, further comprising attachment rings connecting the frame to at least one of the plurality of exercise straps.
 14. The device of claim 8, further comprising elastomeric tethers connecting the exercise ball to at least one of the plurality of exercise straps. 